Improved seat for chairs, sofas



Vstrat Mire.

FREDERICK WITTRAM, CF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

Letters Patent No. 97,579, dated Decemberl 7, 1869.

w IMPRVED SIEli-.AT FOR CHAIRS, SOFAS, egcc.`

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the ea'me .To whom 'it 'may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK WITTRAM, of the city and county of San Francisco, in the State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seats'for Chairs, Sofas, Railroad-Cars, Ste.; andI hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view;

Figure 2, a top view; and

Figure 3, a vertical section. p.

The letters of reference indicate the same parts in the different figures.

My invention relates'to certain improvements in seats for use, in their general application, for chairs, sofas, railroad-cars, &c., of which the following isha full, clear, and exact description, suiiicient to enable those skilled iu the art to `make, and construct the same.

A is the frame, 'forming the edges ofthe seat, which has a horizontal partition, B, which is perforated with holes at suitable distances, to receive and guide the lower portions of the blocks C, which are inserted therein.

The upper portions of theblocks are square in their transverse section, with parallel'sides, but they may be hexagonal, or of any suitable form in `their section, 'which will enable them to act as guides to one another, through their contact with each other and the sides of the frame.

They are reduced in' size, in their lower portions, which may be cylindrical, square, or of any other section which will correspond in form with the holes in the partition through which these parts are to pass freely. The blocks' C are furnished with helical springs which surround the reduced portions of the blocks between the shoulders and the partition B, which form,

respectively, their points of resistance. They should be of such a length, -when extended, asto support the blocks at the proper height withinthe edge 'of the frame A, and must be all on the same horizontal plane.

The blocks are prevented from rising higher by keys, pins D, or equivalent devices.

.The heads of the blocks may be of any suitable size, provided that when placed in the frame, they shall collectively t therein with a parallel-sliding' contact with each other, and with the sides of the frame. i

It will be perceived that under the foregoing conditions the blocks'can only be moved-in vertical-planes parallel to each other, each one guided'by its neighbor, in sliding contact on every side, and bythe holes in the partition below, except the external rows, which .are guided on one side vby the edges of the frame.

The tops of the blocks C mayl be ilat, slightly rounded, or chamfered on their edges, and they may be made of wood or other materials of dierent or contrasting colors, by means of which a mosaic ornamental pattern may be formed.

With` springs of suitable strength, an elastic and yielding suiface is formed, conforming to the shape of the person, and insuring ease and comfort. p

The same devices may be used for the backs and arm's of chairs and car-seats, and for bed-bottoms, es-

peiaiiy for hospital-purposes.

Having thus fully described my improvements,

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is Y The combination of the spring-blocks C, with parallel sides, and sliding in contact, the horizontal partition B, the pins' D, and the frame A, whenv constructed and arranged as herein d escribed.

FREDERICK WITTRAM.

Witnesses:

EDM. F. BROWN, JAMES S. GRINNELL. 

